Travelling to America

uk_viper

uk_viper

uk_viper

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Looking at going on holiday to America in April hopefully, haven't been on a proper holiday for 6 years now so in desperate need of a getaway, been looking at traveling with us airways and staying at Quality Inn Plaza on International Drive, has anyone been to the hotel or used the airline?

The plane has a transfer at Charlotte on both ways, this is my big concern as i have been on planes before but never had to do a transfer, any guidance on this?

Going with the other half so bit nervous considering never been on holiday without my parents and she's never left the country in her life.

Anything, suggestions or "need to knows" anyone can think of?

Thanks
 
America is a fairly big place, it might help to narrow down your destination slightly for advice to be useful as inferring it from the place names is a bit more difficult if you haven't been to that exact spot.

Transfers aren't that difficult usually, just pay attention to what you are told and depending on how long you have between getting off one flight and onto the next you might find they occasionally change the gate from the previously advised one.

Check what you are allowed as hand luggage as although it has just changed again with some UK airlines it might be different re-embarking for the return leg.
 
uk_viper said:
The plane has a transfer at Charlotte on both ways, this is my big concern as i have been on planes before but never had to do a transfer, any guidance on this?
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I can definitely help you with this part. I presume that it is Charlotte, NC, US ?
You will have to fill out a customs form before you land at Charlotte, and you'll go through immigration and have to pick up your bags and pass them onto the correct airline again just after immigration, this is just to confirm that the bags are yours. You won't need to check-in again, and you can go straight to your departure gate after you have passed them on.
I had a pretty intriguing experience last august when I went (my transfer was at O' Hara) as I have a new biometric passport, they put all the data onto it (fingerprint and retinal scan/photo) at the immigration post. I had a tight transfer time, but fortunately the next flight was delayed a little.
 
yeah its Charlotte Douglas International Airport - CLT according to the itinerary, theres 2hours between the flight arriving at CLT and leaving for Orlando


oooh i just noticed on the way back its a different airport Philadelphia :O
 
A few years ago we went to Orlando and had to transfer at Philadelphia and we were on US Airways for both journeys. It wasn't really a problem as its all well organised. Even if there is a delay in the UK the time you will arrive means there will be another internal flight they will bump you on. Just make sure you have something to read or play for the delay in between as its boring otherwise.

Quality Inn on International drive is of a reasonable standard with quite a few good places to eat around there. Wild Bills being one of the better Steakhouses. If you like football and don't want to miss a kick there is an English pub just near the Gator place/Crazy Golf.

As I said in a similar thread yesterday, you want to have a look at The Dibb )Disney Info Bulletin Board great website with upto the minute information on Theme Parks, attractions and nightlife.

Enjoy ;)
 
uk_viper said:
yeah its Charlotte Douglas International Airport - CLT according to the itinerary, theres 2hours between the flight arriving at CLT and leaving for Orlando


oooh i just noticed on the way back its a different airport Philadelphia :O
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That's cool, 2 hours is good as it may take some time to get through customs, if it's a busy day. They went through all my luggage on the way in.
On the way back it's even easier as they auto-transfer your luggage to your connecting flight, so you don't have to worry about it.
 
if you can get a direct flight for not much more money, do it. nothing worse than hanging around in airports
 
k3v said:
if you can get a direct flight for not much more money, do it. nothing worse than hanging around in airports
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i did look for some but prices were getting bumped up by about £500 for the two of us, at the moment we got a deal for just over £900 for the both of us
 
Thats fair enough then, £500 is better in your pocket. The reason I mentioned it was the first time I went to New York, i flew from manchester via Paris to save about £30 PP, It just wasnt worth it. IT added a couple of hours to the travelling time, which is a pain in the ass when coming home.
 
uk_viper said:
Looking at going on holiday to America in April hopefully, haven't been on a proper holiday for 6 years now so in desperate need of a getaway, been looking at traveling with us airways and staying at Quality Inn Plaza on International Drive, has anyone been to the hotel or used the airline?

The plane has a transfer at Charlotte on both ways, this is my big concern as i have been on planes before but never had to do a transfer, any guidance on this?

Going with the other half so bit nervous considering never been on holiday without my parents and she's never left the country in her life.

Anything, suggestions or "need to knows" anyone can think of?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I suggest flying into San Francisco. A few day around the bay area, a drive dow to Monterey along highway 1. Then head in land 200 miles to Yosemite NP, probably the most beautiful place on the planet. From there drive 100 miles north along highway 395 to South Lake Tahoe. Beautiful stuff. Hike up mount Tallac, or take the cable car up Heavenly. Gamble in the Casinos on the NEvada side. From there Drive 200 miles north to Lasssen Volcanic NP, more stunning scenry, stop off at Lav Bed State park for some cool Indian paintings and funky lava tunnels. Drive To Oregon via Mount Shasta, hike around the Panther Meadows for some awe inspiring scenery. Pop into Oregon and Visit Crate lake, the clearest lake in the world, 4 deepest and probably the most beautifully coloured. Drive along the Cascade range crest, Mount Adams, Jefferson, Hood and then Rainier in Washington State. Hang out in Seattle, then drive south along the coast. Stunning scenery all the way. When you cross back into California go to the Red Wood National Park to see some amazing trees. Follow Highway 1 south stopping where necessary.
 
I personally don't mind a layover when flying to the states...After the long flight across the Atlantic it's good to get out and strech your legs, have a ciggerette (if that's your thing) and walk around a bit. Of course there is also the other way of looking at it which is you just want to get from point A to point B as quick as possible (which my wife prefers.)

On a side note, Charlotte is a nice place, as is most of the South. People are really friendly, and if you need help finding where to go or something, just ask :)
 
Munky1080 said:
I personally don't mind a layover when flying to the states...After the long flight across the Atlantic it's good to get out and strech your legs, have a ciggerette (if that's your thing) and walk around a bit. Of course there is also the other way of looking at it which is you just want to get from point A to point B as quick as possible (which my wife prefers.)
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Depends on the destination for me, i used to travel to Omaha, NE via Chicago and you change from a nice big 777 to a tin can plane 3 seats across who serve you a bag of nasty cheese bites.

Thankfully family have now moved to Phoenix which is a longer but direct flight, on demand movies all the way :D
 
D.P. said:
I suggest flying into San Francisco. A few day around the bay area, a drive dow to Monterey along highway 1. Then head in land 200 miles to Yosemite NP, probably the most beautiful place on the planet. From there drive 100 miles north along highway 395 to South Lake Tahoe. Beautiful stuff. Hike up mount Tallac, or take the cable car up Heavenly. Gamble in the Casinos on the NEvada side. From there Drive 200 miles north to Lasssen Volcanic NP, more stunning scenry, stop off at Lav Bed State park for some cool Indian paintings and funky lava tunnels. Drive To Oregon via Mount Shasta, hike around the Panther Meadows for some awe inspiring scenery. Pop into Oregon and Visit Crate lake, the clearest lake in the world, 4 deepest and probably the most beautifully coloured. Drive along the Cascade range crest, Mount Adams, Jefferson, Hood and then Rainier in Washington State. Hang out in Seattle, then drive south along the coast. Stunning scenery all the way. When you cross back into California go to the Red Wood National Park to see some amazing trees. Follow Highway 1 south stopping where necessary.
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saying that i can't drive within the country as im not 25 not for another 4 years! the hotel is connected to what i think they call the "i-ride" which connects to all the local malls, and free shuttle service to all theme parks so transportation is covered
 
CLT is an easy airport to get around, you shuld have no issues with your connection


while you are there can you have a look for my jacket, I left it on the back of a seat in the sports bar :p
 
uk_viper said:
saying that i can't drive within the country as im not 25 not for another 4 years! the hotel is connected to what i think they call the "i-ride" which connects to all the local malls, and free shuttle service to all theme parks so transportation is covered
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You can drive in the under 25, especially if foreign. I did thiat this summer, and managed to get a great deal. Normally you pay something like $20 a day surcharge, but if you chat to them they normally find a way of hiding the surcharge in the car rental. I got upgraded to a full-size car and dropped the under 25 surcharge. Worked out pretty cheap.

The US is a waste if you can't drive.
 
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